THE INFLUENCE OF IGBO CATECHISTS ON ROMAN CATHOLICISM IN IGBOLAND (1888 -1931)

SOURCE:

Faculty: Arts
Department: Religion And Human Relations

CONTRIBUTORS:

Umeike, R.C;
Ugweye, L.E;

ABSTRACT:

The Catholic evangelization endeavours on the lower Niger (Igboland) came in the wake of the post slavery abolition era. The Holy Ghost Fathers, who were the architects of this mission, utilized the school evangelization strategy. It succeeded beyond all expectations. However, the indispensable catalysts of this success story were the army of Igbo Catechists teachers who positively collaborated with them. Expectedly the missionary exploits of these expatriate missionaries, Frs. Lejeune and Shanahan (1888 – 1931) have been thoroughly celebrated unto legendary levels. In contrast the incalculable contributions of Igbo catechists in Onitsha towards this success story have been literally down played. This study pointed out these innumerable contributions of these catechists to Roman Catholicism in Igboland. The study aimed at exposing the incalculable sacrifices and unsung contributions of the Igbo Catechists of Onitsha Roman Catholicism. It examines the efforts of the catechists at nurturing the seed of Catholicism from embryonic proportions to that very high stage of maturity whereby the Roman Catholic Church in Igboland not only produce her indigenous clergy but also had enough to send out to the wider word as missionaries. This Catechists so influenced the Igbo Church by exposing the values of education, religion, and evangelization, socio-economic, political and historical thus impacting variously on the Igbo society. The social influence theory (SIT) of S. Milgram, S.E. Asch and H. Kelman, formed the anchor for this study. The qualitative method was used in the collection of data of the study through primary and secondary sources. The Hermeneutical approach was used to analyze the data collected from Roman Catholic Churches and other concerned parties in Onitsha. It was observed that the Igbo Catechists contributed immeasurably to the development of Roman Catholicism in Igboland from the very nascent period and task of language interpretation. It was revealed that without the collaboration of the Igbo catechists the white expatriates, Missionaries could have accomplished little or nothing. It was equally observed that these influences ranging from the educational, religious, socio-economic, political and historical continue to impact on Igboland even under the contemporary dispensations. The study concludes that adequate acknowledgements and recognition are to be accorded the indispensable role of the Igbo Catechists whose collaborative synergy with the white Missionaries and native priests resulted to the success story of the Catholic evangelization efforts in Igboland. The Igbo catechists of today should be fully appreciated just like their counterparts elsewhere in the ministry in Onitsha. There is need for improvement in this regard for continued greater progress in Catholic evangelization and influence.